As the countdown to next month’s World Architecture Festival begins, architects attending from across the globe can look forward to an extensive Fringe schedule of events at this year’s Festival, with priority booking now open to delegates. Entitled 50: 50 – Looking Forward, Looking Back, marking Singapore’s 50 years of independence, the Festival includes an action-packed Fringe programme. Delegates will have ample opportunity to make new contacts and extend their networks with activity that includes exclusive site visits, a PechaKucha night, parties, documentary screenings and a celebratory gala dinner.

Event partner Arcaid has announced the finalists in its Arcaid Images Architectural Photography Awards 2015, a highlight of the stimulating festival Fringe. These 20 photographs will be exhibited in the festival hall at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore, 4-6 November 2015, with the overall winner to be announced at the WAF Gala Dinner.

The Arcaid Images Architectural Photographer of the year Award showcases the expertise of the specialist architectural photographer, with images shortlisted across four categories: Exteriors, Interiors, Sense of Place, and Buildings in Use. Images will be displayed in the Festival Hall throughout the event. The full shortlist can be viewed here: http://www.arcaidawards.com/

During the day on Tuesday 3 November, early arrivals will have the opportunity to join site visits to the Singapore architecture projects that are making the headlines, with opportunities to visit Heatherwick Studio’s Nanyang University Learning Hub; ETH Zurich’s Future Cities Laboratory; Mok Wei Wei’s Victoria Theatre renovation; SOM’s Tanjong Pagar Centre and RSP’s WAF award winning Marina Bay Cruise Centre. Delegates can also join the AGC Building Tour to see the hidden gems that make modern day Singapore what it is. Places are limited but there is still time for attendees to secure their place on the tour of their choice. Registered delegates can book onto the Fringe programme now, and delegate places can be booked here - https://www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/waf-2015-prices

Get ready for an energetic welcome at WAF’s PechaKucha night, hosted by its founder Mark Dytham. Join presenters at the Art and Science Museum on the evening of Tuesday 3 November, before the main event commences the following day.

WAF kicks off in style with Opening Night Drinks taking place in the Festival Hall at 7pm on 4 November, All are welcome to attend, with drinks served as attendees are have the opportunity to browse the exhibition of WAF Awards shortlisted entries, and network with some of the 2,200 peers from 60 countries who will be at the Festival. The Opening Night Drinks will be supported by practice Atelier 10, in celebration of the release of its book Invisible Architecture, which marks the practice’s 25 years in the industry.

On Thursday 5 November, AkzoNobel host a live painting session with Will Alsop of aLL Design, at the AkzoNobel Coffee Bar at 4pm. Kai-Uwe Bergmann of Bjarke Ingels Group will sign copies of HOT TO COLD, a book which presents 60 projects and explores climate, culture, and design. The signing will take place after Bergmann’s talk on the Basheer Graphic Books stand at 5pm.

Delegates can delve deeper into the city’s history and culture at WAF film nights, with the National Design Centre documentary screenings on 4 and 5 November. The Centre will show a fascinating four part series on Singapore that covers work, housing and play, as part of the 50 Years of Singapore Design exhibition. Entry will also grant delegates access to the main exhibition in the Design Centre.

Alternatively, attendees could pay a visit to one of the two WAF Bars, specially commissioned for the festival, which are an aesthetic highlight and the ideal meeting spot to join colleagues to unwind after a jam-packed day.

There will also be the chance to see how the architects of tomorrow tackle the challenges of today at the live student charrettes in the WAF Student Competition, and flex some creative muscle in the LEGO building competition.

WAF culminates with the glittering Gala Awards Dinner, where the winners of the World Building, Interior, Future Project and Landscape of the Year will be announced. Celebrate with the winning architects as the sun sets on this year’s festival at the stunning Marina Bay Sands.

Running alongside WAF is its sister event INSIDE which will showcase 2015’s most groundbreaking interiors projects, sponsored by Dulux. Visitors to INSIDE will be able to view this year’s best in class interiors nominations from leading practices and designers across four continents.